Greenwich's Backman spurs Sound Tigers past Devils

Michael Fornabaio

Updated 11:13 pm, Friday, March 8, 2013

Four unanswered goals, the last two by Greenwich's Sean Backman, lifted the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to a 4-2 win over the Albany Devils on Friday.

Backman scored the game-winner with 4:24 remaining and added an empty-net goal with 18.4 seconds left at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.

"You know what you're going to get from Backs every night," Bridgeport coach Scott Pellerin said. "That's what I like. Sometimes he'll play a lot of minutes, sometimes he won't, but he's a big part of our team."

The Sound Tigers have earned a point in four games in a row, 2-0-2-0.

Veteran goalie Rick DiPietro made 25 saves for his second win in four games with Bridgeport.

The Sound Tigers trailed 2-0 after Harri Pesonen scored on a penalty shot 56 seconds into the second period. Their first power-play goal since Feb. 12 began the comeback, ending a franchise-record string of 41 consecutive man-advantages without success.

Aaron Ness drove to the net five minutes later to put away his own rebound and tie it, with assists from Brock Nelson and Backman.

"The guys battled hard. They played a good 60-minute game," Pellerin said. "Even in the first period, we were outshot (12-4), but fundamentally, structurally, we played a good first period."

Johan Sundstrom returned to Bridgeport's lineup after missing 17 games, taking a blow to the head Jan. 19 against Binghamton.

He drew the Mike Sislo holding penalty that gave Bridgeport a five-on-three in the second period, with Scott Parse already off for a slash.

Nino Niederreiter deflected in Matt Donovan's point shot for his team-leading 24th goal. It was the Sound Tigers' first goal in 69:58 of power-play time.

"It's one of those things you've got to battle through and find a way," Pellerin said.

Bridgeport has an unusual weekend off before a home game Tuesday against Springfield.